Child Resistant Closure With Discreet Deflectable Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing child-resistant closure systems are not sufficiently discrete, allowing children to unintentionally open containers due to visible deflectable tabs, and they often cannot be manufactured using efficient two-stage injection stretch blow molding processes due to asymmetrical neck rings.
Innovation Solution
A closure system with a symmetrical rim and a deflectable locking portion accessible through a small gap in the closure's flange, allowing for disengagement with a foreign object or specialized tool, enabling manufacturing in two-stage stretch blow molding and hiding the unlocking mechanism from children.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a deflectable tab is extended from the container neck ring to enable child-resistant opening, then the closure system provides child-resistant functionality, but the neck ring becomes asymmetrical which prevents efficient two-stage injection stretch blow molding manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The rim is segmented into a locking portion and a non-locking portion, with the locking portion being deflectable while the non-locking portion maintains symmetry for manufacturing. This segmentation allows the container to be manufactured using efficient two-stage injection stretch blow molding while still providing child-resistant functionality through the deflectable locking portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies asymmetry locally to the locking portion of the rim while maintaining overall symmetry of the container structure. The asymmetrical locking portion is positioned in a way that does not interfere with the symmetrical feeding and handling of containers in automated manufacturing and dispensing systems.
2Reliability
If a deflectable tab is extended from the container neck ring to enable child-resistant opening, then the closure system provides child-resistant functionality, but the visible tab allows children to unintentionally open the container
Solution Approach 1:
The deflectable locking portion is extracted from the visible exterior of the container and positioned within the closure system. The locking portion is accessible only through a small aperture in the closure flange, removing the visible tab that children could accidentally manipulate while maintaining the child-resistant opening mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure flange acts as an intermediary that hides the locking mechanism from children. The small aperture in the flange provides controlled access to the locking portion, requiring intentional action with an object to insert through the aperture, thereby preventing accidental opening while maintaining the ability for authorized opening.
3Reliability
If an asymmetrical neck ring with a deflectable tab is used, then child-resistant opening is enabled, but automated dispensing machines cannot properly feed the containers
Solution Approach 1:
The rim is segmented into asymmetrical locking and non-locking portions, with the asymmetry confined to the locking mechanism only. The overall container structure remains symmetrical, allowing automated dispensing machines to properly feed and handle containers while the segmented locking portion provides child-resistant functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Asymmetry is applied locally only to the locking portion of the rim where needed for child-resistant functionality, while the rest of the container structure maintains symmetry for automated handling. This localized application of asymmetry ensures compatibility with automated dispensing systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A closure system includes a container and a closure. The container including a rim extending perpendicular to the side wall, the rim including a locking lug extending from an upper surface of the rim and a break disposed in the rim adjacent to the locking tab, the break operable to form a deflectable locking portion of the rim. The closure including a side wall, a flange extending perpendicular to the side wall, and a locking lug disposed within the flange for engaging the corresponding locking lug of the container. The flange substantially covers the upper surface of the rim of the container and includes a gap portion disposed adjacent to the locking lug for allowing a user to deflect the deflectable locking portion of the container through the gap portion in the flange to disengage the locking lug of the container from the locking lug of the closure.